The federal government has amended its previous directive mandating an 8:00 PM closing time for businesses, following feedback and appeals from business owners. This adjustment comes after thorough discussions concerning the government’s austerity measures.
As per the updated notification from the Cabinet Division, shops, markets, and shopping malls will now close at 9:00 PM. Meanwhile, wedding halls, marquees, and commercial event venues are permitted to operate until 10:00 PM. Restaurants, hotels, and vegetable markets have been granted extended hours, allowed to remain open until 11:00 PM under the new schedule.
Notably, certain essential services such as medical stores, IT companies, tandoors, gyms, and fuel stations will continue to operate without any restrictions on their hours, recognizing their critical role in daily life.
This decision aligns with the government’s ongoing strategy to conserve energy and optimize electricity usage, particularly in the context of the US-Iran conflict impacting energy dynamics. The Cabinet Division has instructed all provincial governments and local authorities to enforce these revised business hours effectively.
Officials emphasize that the new timings aim to balance energy savings with the need to support economic activity and ensure essential services remain accessible to the public. Additionally, this move is expected to mitigate financial losses previously experienced by business owners due to earlier closing restrictions.
